Girls Academy 2 Finally Coming!

[Zeke]

Explain why legend and beach joined ECNL, instead of MLSN 4 years ago.

"4 years ago" is the explanation. Different world now, at least on the boys side.

ECNL is in no position to dislodge MLS-N, and it is ridiculous of them to try.


Girls side, it's still 80% ECNL. They could make it 95% if they were willing to accept the top 10 GA clubs and drop the MLS-N requirement.

 

[sockma]

I would think e-64 would be along side of the DPL vs. NPL?

yes

"4 years ago" is the explanation. Different world now, at least on the boys side.

ECNL is in no position to dislodge MLS-N, and it is ridiculous of them to try.


Girls side, it's still 80% ECNL. They could make it 95% if they were willing to accept the top 10 GA clubs and drop the MLS-N requirement.

Absolutely. Not sure why ECNL is hung up on trying to take top boys position too. They will not be able to compete with MLS. If ECNL continues down this path, they'll harm their girls program too and become irrelevant.

 

[CoachReed68]

Hearing GA 2 is finally coming! Perhaps this is finally the day DPL jumps over to the GA side, as they both look to keep up with ECNL and ECNL-RL. Has anyone heard anything?

Yay! More Alphabet Soup.

 

[rainbow_unicorn]

And this is why the current US soccer landscape is a mess. Clubs have to make a difficult choice whether to prioritize their boys (MLSN/GA) or girls (ECNL). Very few clubs have the option of having both MLSN for boys and ECNL for girls.

 

[rainbow_unicorn]

Duh, hence why everyone has been watching MLSN + Girls ECNL clubs to see what they do.

Which is unfortunate for the NVA girls as the club is basically telling them that the boys are a priority. I'm assuming that some of the better NVA girls will leave for other ECNL clubs in the area (NVA had a good ECNL team in our age group).

 

[Carsbad2012]

Which is unfortunate for the NVA girls as the club is basically telling them that the boys are a priority. I'm assuming that some of the better NVA girls will leave for other ECNL clubs in the area (NVA had a good ECNL team in our age group).

This is somewhat how the City SC girls feel as well (The club prioritizing the boys) and why their teams get picked apart by ECNL. Although I think the GA is doing a lot of good things and runs quality events. Competition is just where it is struggling. The fact that MLSN is the top for boys and ECNL is top for girls is incredibly frustrating and is everything wrong with club soccer. The GA's ambitious goal of changing that will be an uphill battle.

 

[Noticer]

This is somewhat how the City SC girls feel as well (The club prioritizing the boys) and why their teams get picked apart by ECNL. Although I think the GA is doing a lot of good things and runs quality events. Competition is just where it is struggling. The fact that MLSN is the top for boys and ECNL is top for girls is incredibly frustrating and is everything wrong with club soccer. The GA's ambitious goal of changing that will be an uphill battle.

you have summoned @Carlsbad7 - her arrival is imminent

 

[justasoccerfam]

This is somewhat how the City SC girls feel as well (The club prioritizing the boys) and why their teams get picked apart by ECNL. Although I think the GA is doing a lot of good things and runs quality events. Competition is just where it is struggling. The fact that MLSN is the top for boys and ECNL is top for girls is incredibly frustrating and is everything wrong with club soccer. The GA's ambitious goal of changing that will be an uphill battle.

City are talked about like the almighty of the GA. Are they really that much stronger than everyone else at every age? My daughter is in the first year in GA and they have two strong teams at that age group. Still learning the landscape.

Current Standings (top 3)

U13
City White
City Blue
FRAM

U14
City White
SC Del Sol
SDSC Surf

U15
FRAM
So Cal Reds
City White

U16
SC Del Sol
FRAM
West Coast

U17
West Coast
City White
FRAM

U19
SC Del Sol
City White
FRAM

Obviously a strong club but doesn't look like it is City SC ruling every age group.

 

[CAZZZ]

City are talked about like the almighty of the GA. Are they really that much stronger than everyone else at every age? My daughter is in the first year in GA and they have two strong teams at that age group. Still learning the landscape.

Current Standings (top 3)

U13
City White
City Blue
FRAM

U14
City White
SC Del Sol
SDSC Surf

U15
FRAM
So Cal Reds
City White

U16
SC Del Sol
FRAM
West Coast

U17
West Coast
City White
FRAM

U19
SC Del Sol
City White
FRAM

Obviously a strong club but doesn't look like it is City SC ruling every age group.

Because those talents move to Surf or Sharks, if City is an ECNL club, it will be a strong #2 in San Diego, and possibly #5 in the Southwestern league.

 

[Carlsbad7]

Because those talents move to Surf or Sharks, if City is an ECNL club, it will be a strong #2 in San Diego, and possibly #5 in the Southwestern league.

Nobody from City is going to Sharts.

I have heard good things about the new Legends SD leadership + policies they've implemented. I've also heard that the former Sharks leadership while still around are following Legends processes and procedures. Which I consider a plus.

 

[CAZZZ]

Nobody from City is going to Sharts.

I have heard good things about the new Legends SD leadership + policies they've implemented. I've also heard that the former Sharks leadership while still around are following Legends processes and procedures. Which I consider a plus.

You have no idea how many city backpacks I saw these days in the Sharks Mira Mesa practice field.

 

[Carsbad2012]

City are talked about like the almighty of the GA. Are they really that much stronger than everyone else at every age? My daughter is in the first year in GA and they have two strong teams at that age group. Still learning the landscape.

Current Standings (top 3)

U13
City White
City Blue
FRAM

U14
City White
SC Del Sol
SDSC Surf

U15
FRAM
So Cal Reds
City White

U16
SC Del Sol
FRAM
West Coast

U17
West Coast
City White
FRAM

U19
SC Del Sol
City White
FRAM

Obviously a strong club but doesn't look like it is City SC ruling every age group.

City is very strong in the younger age groups. IMO they'd be top 5 in ECNL southwest (maybe higher because they'd actually attract players instead of players leaving if they were ECNL). There is more parity as they get older because a lot of the talent leaves for Surf, KOGE, and I guess to some degree Rebels. To put a little in perspective a group of City girls went to a legends kick around before tryouts and dominated. 4 of the 6 got offered starting spots right after. It should have been all 6 and that was a group that was missing 2 of their best players. One thing to consider though is City is still putting their girls in college. A lot more than Rebels and Legends. Correct me if I'm wrong but Surf is the highest at 14+ for the class of 26 and City is second with 12-14(2 not committed yet but are actively being recruited) from the same class. Legends has like 1 commit and Rebels has 5. There is still a strong college pathway in the GA with City.

 

[CAZZZ]

City is very strong in the younger age groups. IMO they'd be top 5 in ECNL southwest (maybe higher because they'd actually attract players instead of players leaving if they were ECNL). There is more parity as they get older because a lot of the talent leaves for Surf, KOGE, and I guess to some degree Rebels. To put a little in perspective a group of City girls went to a legends kick around before tryouts and dominated. 4 of the 6 got offered starting spots right after. It should have been all 6 and that was a group that was missing 2 of their best players. One thing to consider though is City is still putting their girls in college. A lot more than Rebels and Legends. Correct me if I'm wrong but Surf is the highest at 14+ for the class of 26 and City is second with 12-14(2 not committed yet but are actively being recruited) from the same class. Legends has like 1 commit and Rebels has 5. There is still a strong college pathway in the GA with City.

If City is in ECNL, it can compete against Surf for certain age groups.

 

[justasoccerfam]

I just saw another ECNL club has joined the GA today. Loudoun SC

 

[Noticer]

I just saw another ECNL club has joined the GA today. Loudoun SC

Another ECRL club that is suddenly an ECNL club as they laterally move to GA

 

[TopesWin]

City are talked about like the almighty of the GA. Are they really that much stronger than everyone else at every age? My daughter is in the first year in GA and they have two strong teams at that age group. Still learning the landscape.

Current Standings (top 3)

U13
City White
City Blue
FRAM

U14
City White
SC Del Sol
SDSC Surf

U15
FRAM
So Cal Reds
City White

U16
SC Del Sol
FRAM
West Coast

U17
West Coast
City White
FRAM

U19
SC Del Sol
City White
FRAM

Obviously a strong club but doesn't look like it is City SC ruling every age group.

The best place to be whether in business, politics, sports, or wherever is with the group in the ascendency. City SC is on the rise in GA, and the GA is gaining traction as against ECNL. I don't think there's a better place to be, unless you're a starter on Surf's ECNL team, and congrats if that's you, but most people don't have that luxury. I'm not part of their club, just admiring from a distance. How they can retain their players while in the midst of so many good ECNL team is a credit to them.

 

[sockma]

City is very strong in the younger age groups. IMO they'd be top 5 in ECNL southwest (maybe higher because they'd actually attract players instead of players leaving if they were ECNL). There is more parity as they get older because a lot of the talent leaves for Surf, KOGE, and I guess to some degree Rebels. To put a little in perspective a group of City girls went to a legends kick around before tryouts and dominated. 4 of the 6 got offered starting spots right after. It should have been all 6 and that was a group that was missing 2 of their best players. One thing to consider though is City is still putting their girls in college. A lot more than Rebels and Legends. Correct me if I'm wrong but Surf is the highest at 14+ for the class of 26 and City is second with 12-14(2 not committed yet but are actively being recruited) from the same class. Legends has like 1 commit and Rebels has 5. There is still a strong college pathway in the GA with City.

From what I hear, the quality of schools is better at Rebels than at City. Correct me if I'm wrong. This type of information is useful for people deciding where to play soccer. It would be great to have this list with the colleges they are committed to. (D1, Top 30, etc.)

I heard it's only a few 2008s from City that have committed (less than Rebel numbers , definitely not anywhere near 12-14.)

 

[WatchthemPlay]

There is really no question that in D1 college recruitment for numbers and “quality” historically in SD it’s: 1) Surf 2) City 3) Rebels 4) Sharks/Legends SD.

This year for 2008s D1 recruits according to ImYouthSoccer who collects solid data Surf has 14, City has 10, Rebels has 5, Sharks has 1. Surf has 11 P4 recruits, City has 3 P4 recruits, Rebels has 2 P4 recruits. A majority of the P4 recruiting is done due to the new roster limits.

Everyone has to decide which dynamic is best. Surf and City get a lot of exposure because they consistently make playoffs and national finals. A large number of coaches attend those events (GA or ECNL). Rebels and Sharks typically don’t get this exposure because they don’t make playoffs and have to play in the showcase levels at playoffs which aren’t as well attended by coaches. Ultimately, go where your kid gets to play a lot at the highest level so they maximize exposure.

 

[CAZZZ]

There is really no question that in D1 college recruitment for numbers and “quality” historically in SD it’s: 1) Surf 2) City 3) Rebels 4) Sharks/Legends SD.

This year for 2008s D1 recruits according to ImYouthSoccer who collects solid data Surf has 14, City has 10, Rebels has 5, Sharks has 1. Surf has 11 P4 recruits, City has 3 P4 recruits, Rebels has 2 P4 recruits. A majority of the P4 recruiting is done due to the new roster limits.

Everyone has to decide which dynamic is best. Surf and City get a lot of exposure because they consistently make playoffs and national finals. A large number of coaches attend those events (GA or ECNL). Rebels and Sharks typically don’t get this exposure because they don’t make playoffs and have to play in the showcase levels at playoffs which aren’t as well attended by coaches. Ultimately, go where your kid gets to play a lot at the highest level so they maximize exposure.

Politics aside, I would really wish that City would join ECNL. It will be very good for girls in SD. We will also have an exciting Derby day.

 

[Carsbad2012]

There is really no question that in D1 college recruitment for numbers and “quality” historically in SD it’s: 1) Surf 2) City 3) Rebels 4) Sharks/Legends SD.

This year for 2008s D1 recruits according to ImYouthSoccer who collects solid data Surf has 14, City has 10, Rebels has 5, Sharks has 1. Surf has 11 P4 recruits, City has 3 P4 recruits, Rebels has 2 P4 recruits. A majority of the P4 recruiting is done due to the new roster limits.

Everyone has to decide which dynamic is best. Surf and City get a lot of exposure because they consistently make playoffs and national finals. A large number of coaches attend those events (GA or ECNL). Rebels and Sharks typically don’t get this exposure because they don’t make playoffs and have to play in the showcase levels at playoffs which aren’t as well attended by coaches. Ultimately, go where your kid gets to play a lot at the highest level so they maximize exposure.

From what I hear, the quality of schools is better at Rebels than at City. Correct me if I'm wrong. This type of information is useful for people deciding where to play soccer. It would be great to have this list with the colleges they are committed to. (D1, Top 30, etc.)

I heard it's only a few 2008s from City that have committed (less than Rebel numbers , definitely not anywhere near 12-14.)

City currently has 10 commits for 2026 and 4 are close to choosing. I'm not sure how up to date ImYouthSoccer is. The current commit list I was given is 2026- Minnesota, 2 at Colorado, USD, Rice, Utah State, NAU, Northern Colorado, GCU, Youngstown State. For 2025 TCU, Humbolt, Denver, Regis, Concordia, NYU, Long Beach, UMBC, St Josephs, Miami, Rhode Island, USD, Maryville, For 23/24 NAU, Hawaii, 2 at Washington, TCU, 2 at Cal Poly Pomona, Idaho, GCU, Cal Baptist, North Dakota, Michigan, Villanova, CSU San Marcos, Alabama, USD, Eastern Washington, Fullerton, Dartmouth, Cal Baptist, San Jose State.

IMO that is a solid list. Not the D1 powerhouses that Surf is putting their players in but a strong pathway and some pretty good schools. You can see that City is putting in the work to get their players noticed and recruited. Not bad for the lowly GA... To me the Rebels possible getting "higher quality" colleges but far less girls committed somewhat tells me City puts in the leg work at the club level and the Rebels rely on their players getting seen at showcases. They let the ECNL do the work. That's just my perception though...